From working hard on the field to working hard in the car industry.

By Xavier Moimoi

SEATTLE-- Kobe Bryant once said, "Great things come from hard work and perseverance. No excuses."

This is especially true for Irish alumni Owen Prentice who says O’Dea played a big part in preparing him for the future.

Prentice knew that walking through those O’Dea doors he would have to install a work ethic that everyone there already had, thanks to O’Dea.

Prentice was a graduate of the class of 2021 and spent his time at O’Dea involved in the football program. O’Dea provided Prentice with a chance to take his talents to any college he wanted to go to. Prentice committed to the University of Washington for the football program and the Foster School of Business.

Prentice was involved with O’Dea’s football team. Prentice played on both sides of the ball but mainly played left guard on offense. Prentice was part of the 2018 state championship team and the 2021 Metro League champion team.

Prentice also received many first-all-league Metro offensive line and offensive lineman MVPs.

Prentice, now going into his 3rd year at UW, spends his time taking care of schoolwork, but also works a full-time job selling Cadillacs for a car company.

Now Prentice didn’t get here without the hard work he had to put in starting at O’Dea.

“O’Dea helped build work ethic and discipline, along with understanding what you have to do day-to-day to be successful.”

Not only did O’Dea help with Prentice’s work ethic, but it also helped build lifelong relationships.

Prentice states, “A lot of my closest friends are from O’Dea, and I still talk to them on a daily basis.”

This shows how the O’Dea brotherhood isn’t temporary and how O'Dea students will always have an O’Dea brother to talk to whenever needed.

Prentice also talks about how much fun he had at O’Dea, on and off the football field.

Prentice states, “I am very thankful that I made the decision to go to O’Dea.”

Showing you his love for O’Dea and why O’Dea will always have a special place in his heart.

Giving Prentice more of a reason to come back and give back to the O’Dea community.